3D Printing
Contact us
Home / News / This is What a 3D Printed Ukulele Sounds Like
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

This is What a 3D Printed Ukulele Sounds Like

April 7, 2014

Being a musician myself, I personally don’t expect that 3D printed instruments will ever fully replace their traditional, handmade counterparts. A video by TED has already taught us a 3D printed violin actually sounds like a 3D printed violin. But despite my personal love for authenticity, I very much have to admit 3D printers are currently doing an incredible job in the field of instruments. New in the game is a company called Realize, Inc., which came up with something that was actually music to my ears.

In conjunction with a company called Outdoor Ukulele, they 3D printed a prototype of a ukulele, and it sounds surprisingly good. The instrument is made of plastic, but you can hardly see that this is an actual prototype of an instrument. This is also contributed to the fact that this ukulele has a very clean sound. The sound of this instrument is getting closer and closer to the sound of an actual, handcrafted ukulele. Apparently, this has also been the goal of the team, as they wanted to produce a 3D printed ukulele in the exact same scale of a handmade one. Every detail, including the frets and suchlike, were copied from a regular model. Check out the sound of this one:

And now – in order to understand my conservatism regarding 3D printed instruments, I show you a video, which I earlier mentioned, about a 3D printed violin. In this TED vid, Joanna Wronko is first playing on a 3D printed violin, after which she switches to a handcrafted instrument. The sound of the 3D printed version did come close to that of the handcrafted one, but it missed some necessary depth. It was like listening to a violin on an iPod, instead of of hearing it through proper speakers.

But this ukulele as well as the violin do show that 3D printing technicians are taking steps into the world of 3D printed instruments. If the technique of 3D printing instruments will further develop, it might cause a serious danger to instrument retailers. I mean: if we could print out any instruments at home, then who needs a shop anymore? However, I can also see an advantage, as printing out your own instruments at home will surely be a lot less pricey. This means poor musicians – and often musicians are not the most wealthy people on earth – will be able to get a lot more instruments, possibly leading to more creativity.

However, the technique first needs to improve itself a little further. When it comes to instruments, then a lot of authenticity is required by many. For example, an electric guitar made in the seventies sounds a lot more exotic than a new model and a the words ‘handcrafted instrument’ will probably sound way more interesting to many than a ‘printed’ version does.

However, one can’t deny that it’s happening, as many artists are currently developing 3D printed instruments. This 3D printed ukulele wasn’t even the first of its kind, because last year a different 3D printed version came on Thingiverse. In 2012, we already mentioned a 3D printed acoustic guitar, made by guitar maker Scott Summit and 3D Systems. And maybe you can also remember the Steampunk Engine, a futuristic electric guitar with moving gears and piston. It was made by a professor professor of mechatronics and Kiss would surely love it. This is what it sounded like:

 Image credits: Realize, Inc./ Outdoor Ukulele.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
Latest posts

Researchers Use Digital Twin for DED Optimization

A group of researchers from Tokyo University of Science and Suwa University of Science, in Japan, have collaborated with TOCALO Co. Ltd. to... read more »

10 hours ago 3D Printing Metal
digital twin

NASA Validates 3D Printed RDRE Aerospike Engine

NASA has recently validated the data from hot fire tests on their 3D printed aerospike engine at their test facility in Marshall Space... read more »

2 days ago Aerospace
RDRE aerospike

3D Systems & Stewart-Haas Racing Announce Multi-year Partnership

American stock car team Stewart-Haas Racing has announced a multi-year partnership with 3D Systems, with the goal of utilizing additive manufacturing for the... read more »

3 days ago 3D Systems
Cole Custer Haas Automation

Hydrogen Powered 3D Printed Data Centers Coming Soon

Californian company EdgeCloudLink (ECL) is a data center-as-a-service startup planning to offer hydrogen-powered, off-grid modular data centers with 3D printed concrete structures. The... read more »

4 days ago Construction
3d construction printed hydrogen plant

Sakuu Teams up with Porsche for 3D Printed Battery Gigafactory Design

Sakuu, the Silicon Valley-based 3D printed solid-state battery company, has chosen Porsche Consulting to design its planned worldwide gigafactories. Porsche Consulting (a subsidiary... read more »

5 days ago Electronics
solid state batteries

British Army Gets AM Parts for Armored Vehicles

UK defense supplier Babcock International Group has introduced its first 3D printed metal parts for the British Army's Titan and Trojan fleets. This... read more »

5 days ago 3D Printing Metal
AVRE

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Twitter Twitter 3D Printing

3D Printer Categories

  • Desktop 3D Printers
  • Industrial 3D Printers
  • Geeetech THUNDER Geeetech THUNDER
    250 x 250 x 260 mm
    $489
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech Mizar M Geeetech Mizar M
    255 x 255 x 260 mm
    $399
    Buy Now
  • gCreate gMax 2 PRO (with enclosure) gCreate gMax 2 PRO (with enclosure)
    457 x 457 x 609 mm
    $5,295
    Buy Now
  • Fusion3 F410 Fusion3 F410
    355 x 355 x 315 mm
    $4,599
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech A30T Geeetech A30T
    320 x 320 x 420 mm
    $449
    Buy Now
  • Modix BIG-60 Modix BIG-60
    600 x 600 x 660 mm
    $4,900
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech Mizar Pro Geeetech Mizar Pro
    220 x 220 x 260 mm
    $219
    Buy Now
  • Geeetech Mizar S Geeetech Mizar S
    255 x 255 x 260 mm
    $279
    Buy Now
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

  • Figure 4 Tough Clear Figure 4 Tough Clear
    Consumer packaging, Lighting covers, Load bearing structures, Mounts and brackets
    Clear, Rigid
    View Details
  • Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10 Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10
    Snap fits, Automotive instrument panels, Connectors, Housings
    Rigid, Durable
    View Details
  • DuraForm PAx Black DuraForm PAx Black
    Enclosures, Orthotics, Hinges
    High elongation, High recyclability, Impact resistant
    View Details
  • Accura AMX Rigid Black Accura AMX Rigid Black
    Load bearing structures, Snap fits, Automotive instrument panels, Jigs and fixtures, Mounts and brackets
    Rigid, Durable, Strong
    View Details
  • Accura AMX Durable Natural Accura AMX Durable Natural
    Enclosures, Functional parts, Mandrel tooling, Jigs and fixtures, Mounts and brackets
    High elongation, Tough, Impact resistant
    View Details
  • Modix BIG-120Z Modix BIG-120Z
    600 x 600 x 1200 mm
    from $7,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • 3D Printing Service
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers

Featured Companies

  • Modix
  • 3D Systems
  • Industry
  • Geeetech

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon M3
  • Flashforge Creator 3
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro
  • Craftbot FLOW IDEX XL
  • BIQU B1
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Service
  • Materials
  • Contact us
Featured Companies
  • Modix
  • 3D Systems
  • Industry
  • Geeetech
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • 3D Printing Service
  • Newsletter
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing
We serve cookies on this site to analyze traffic, remember your preferences, and optimize your experience.
Details
Close